House Democrat renounces Democratic Socialists of America over NYC rally

Michigan Democratic Rep. Shri Thanedar on Wednesday renounced his membership in the Democratic Socialists of America after the group staged a rally supporting Palestine in the wake of terror group Hamas's attacks on Israel.

The Sunday rally followed the Hamas raid and was met with widespread claims of anti-Semitism. A litany of Democrats, including New York Gov. Kathy Hochul, repudiated the demonstrators and characterized the rally as "abhorrent and morally repugnant," according to Politico.

The DSA's involvement prompted scrutiny of many progressive lawmakers who maintain ties to the organization, though Thanedar appeared to be the first to formally sever the connection.

"Today, I am officially renouncing my membership in the Democratic Socialists of America," Thanedar said in a statement. "After the brutal terrorist attacks on Israel, which included the indiscriminate murder, rape, and kidnapping of children, I can no longer associate with an organization unwilling to call out terrorism in all its forms."

"Sunday's hate-filled and antisemitic rally in New York City, promoted by the NYC-DSA, makes it impossible for me to continue my affiliation. I stand with Israel and its right to defend itself. There is no place for moral equivocation in the face of unadulterated evil as we have seen from Hamas," he concluded.

Thanedar assumed office in 2023 after winning his seat in the 2022 midterms.

Ben Whedon is an editor and reporter for Just the News. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter.